Opinion
No. 2:11-cv-00847-MCE-KJN.
April 6, 2011
MEMORANDUM and ORDER
In this unlawful detainer action, The Affordable Housing Assistance Defined Pension Benefit Plan ("Plaintiff") alleges that Brian Mahnke and Elizabeth Mahnke ("Defendants") currently occupy property that was purchased by Plaintiff at a trustee's sale following Defendants' alleged default on said property. Plaintiff filed its original Complaint in Sacramento Superior Court. Defendants have since removed to this Court alleging federal question jurisdiction, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1331. However, removal was improper because the instant action does not arise under federal law.
It is fundamental that federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction. Vacek v. United States Postal Serv., 447 F.3d 1141, 1145 (9th Cir. 2006). Regardless of whether the issue is raised by the parties, a district court has a duty to consider the basis of subject matter jurisdiction sua sponte. United Investors Life Ins. v. Waddell Reed, Inc., 360 F.3d 960, 966-67 (9th Cir. 2004). See also Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(h)(3). There is a "strong presumption" against removal jurisdiction, and the defendant bears the burden of establishing that removal is proper. Gaus v. Miles, Inc., 980 F.2d 564, 566 (9th Cir. 1992). Where removal is based on federal question jurisdiction, a federal question must appear on the face of the well-pleaded complaint. Toumajian v. Frailey, 135 F.3d 648, 653 (9th Cir. 1998). A defendant cannot establish subject matter jurisdiction by asserting a defense arising under federal law. ARCO Envtl. Remediation, L.L.C. v. Dep't of Health Envtl. Quality of Montana, 213 F.3d 1108, 1113 (9th Cir. 2000).
In the Complaint, Plaintiff alleges unlawful detainer as its sole cause of action. An unlawful detainer action does not raise a federal question. See Wadhwa v. Aurora Loan Serv., LLC, No. 2:10-cv-03361-WBS-DAD, 2011 WL 308416 (E.D. Cal. Jan. 27, 2011);Aurora Loan Serv., LLC v. Gullatt, No. 1:10-cv-01108-AWI-DLB, 2010 WL 2574031 (E.D. Cal. June 24, 2010). Accordingly, no federal question appears on the face of the Complaint. In their notice of removal, Defendants claim that removal is proper because Defendants filed a demurrer that raises questions of federal law.
However, because jurisdiction cannot be based on a defense arising under federal law, there is no basis for subject matter jurisdiction in this case.
Based on the foregoing, the case is hereby REMANDED to The Superior Court of the State of California, County of Sacramento pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1447(c). The Clerk is ordered to close the case.
IT IS SO ORDERED.